Drama…

So… let me start off by saying that I am a HUGE couch potato. I could spend days on end staring at my 55″ 4K tv. (I do not confirm nor deny that these events have occured)

Amongst all the shows I watch I have a passion for Korean dramas. Shout out to DramaFever and Viki for always having a good selection. What I like about these dramas is that they are not over sexualized and respect for everyone is so important. Having a great storyline while maintaining some innocence is what I have noticed in most of the ones I’ve watched. Watching these have made me curious about the Korean culture. I have downloaded several Apps to teach me how to speak Korean. I try to find Korean recipes to try and Korean restaurants, sometimes I also listen to K-pop. Pictured below are some of my favorite series.

At the prestigious Shin Hwa High School in Seoul, four boys comprise the group known as the Flower Four. The crème de la crème of the most powerful families from Korea, these spoiled, rebellious, flirtatious and cruel boys rule the school. Enter Jan Di, a girl of humble upbringing who is accepted into Shin Hwa on a swimming scholarship after accidentally saving the life of a Shin Hwa student. Not one for following the rules blindly, Jan Di faces immediate scrutiny from the entire school and in particular the boys of the Flower Four and their leader, Goo Jun Pyo, who dislikes her instantly. Through her charm and undying optimism, she slowly begins to capture the hearts of those around her, even the icy boys of the F4.

Gong Yoo (Coffee Prince), Kim Go Eun (Cheese in the Trap) and Lee Dong Wook (Blade Man, My Girl) star in a supernatural romance that proves love can find its way past anything, including death. Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) is an immortal “goblin,” and has the rather honorable title of being the Protector of Souls. His roommate Wang Yeo (Lee Dong Wook) also happens to have the equally lofty, if thoroughly opposing, title of Angel of Death, and he acts as the storied grim reaper that claims souls. However, both these devilishly handsome angels have a problem: Wang Yeo has amnesia and Kim Shin wants to end his own (immortal) life. Unfortunately for goblins, the only way to defeat immortality is to marry a human bride. As fate would have it, Kim Shin encounters Ji Eun Tak (Kim Go Eun) a quirky, yet cheerful, girl who may be the answer to ending his cursed existence. Now, once responsible for protecting souls and watching them pass, Kim Shin tries to send his own soul to the afterlife. But when a slightly complicated method of suicide starts turning into true love, will our immortal goblin begin to regret his decision–where acting on that very love ultimately means the end of his life? Adding to the drama are Kim Sun (One More Happy Ending star Yoo In Na), a sweet chicken shop owner who falls for the Angel of Death, and Yoo Duk Hwa (BtoB member and School 2015 actor Yook Sung Jae), a wealthy heir who happens to be Kim Shin’s nephew with a penchant for rebellion. Also known as “Shining Goblin”, “Dokkaebi,” and simply “Goblin”, Goblin: The Lonely and Great God is helmed by the director-writer team of Lee Eung Bok and Kim Eun Sook, a pairing fans will remember for their work on the massive hit Descendants of the Sun, and who also have notable credits on their respective resumes such as Dream High and Heirs. The first script reading for the drama took place on August 30, 2016 at the Nuri Dream Square in Sangamdong, Seoul, South Korea, with filming beginning in September 2016. In addition to the all-star cast and highly-acclaimed writer-director duo, the drama earned much attention prior to its release for not only being one of the few Korean dramas to be filmed in Canada, but also for marking a return to the small screen for actor Gong Yoo, who hadn’t worked in a leading role on television since 2013’s Big. The debut episode of Goblin: The Lonely and Great God aired on December 2, 2016 on tvN at 8:00PM, overtaking the time slot previously occupied by Ji Chang Wook and Yoona’s The K2, with subsequent episodes airing every Friday and Saturday at 8:00PM. The extended cast for Goblin: The Lonely and Great God includes Gong Yoo as Kim Shin (goblin), Kim Go Eun as Ji Eun Tak (human priestess), Lee Dong Wook as Wang Yeo (grim reaper), Yoo In Na as Kim Sun/Sunny, Yook Sung Jae as Yoo Duk Hwa, and Jo Woo Jin as Secretary Kim, with supporting roles by Lee El, Kim Sung Kyum, Park Hee Bon, and Hwang Suk Jung, and cameos by Kim So Hyun and Kim Min Jae.

Lee Joon Ki (Arang and the Magistrate) and Lee “IU” Ji Eun (Dream High) star in a dangerous romance across time in what sure to be one of the biggest historical epics of the year. Hae Soo (IU) is a 21st century woman who gets caught in a solar eclipse and is transported to the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled Korea from the 10th century for nearly 500 years. Suddenly, Hae Soo finds herself in the royal palace, where she comes across Fourth Prince Wang So (Lee Joon Ki). A man as feared as he is handsome, Wang So is based on the real-life fourth king of the Goryeo Dynasty and makes others tremble but wins over Hae Soo’s heart. However, he is not the only one in the palace with eyes on the throne, and a political battle of deception, secrecy and lies ensues between Wang So and all the other princes. Adding to the drama are Eighth Prince Wang Wook (Heirs star Kang Ha Neul), who is less than willing to wait in line behind seven other members of the royal family, and Third Prince Wang Yo (Beloved alum Hong Jong Hyun), whose right to the crown actually precedes Wang So’s. Also known as Moon Lovers – Scarlet Heart: Ryeo, the drama is based on the Chinese novel Bu Bu Jing Xin by Tong Hua, which also inspired the 2011 Chinese hit Scarlet Heart starring Cecilia Liu and Nicky Wu. The drama is directed by Kim Kyu Tae, whose previous work includes It’s Okay, That’s Love, and was adapted for the screen by Jo Yoon Young, also known for Cinderella Man. The first episode will air on August 29, 2016, with subsequent episodes airing every Monday and Tuesday on SBS at 10:00pm, overtaking the time slot vacated by Doctor Crush. The first script reading took place January 2016, with filming concluding late June. The show is expected to run for 20 episodes and is produced by YG Entertainment and NBCUniversal, whose $10M investment in the show underscores the significance of their first Korean production. The full cast for Scarlet Heart: Ryeo includes Lee Joon Ki as Wang So, Lee Ji Eun (IU) as Hae Soo, Kang Ha Neul as Wang Wook, Hong Jong Hyun as Wang Yo, Byun Baek Hyun as Wang Eun, Nam Joo Hyuk as Wang Wook, Kim Ji Soo as Wang Jung, Kim San Ho as First Prince Wang Mu, Seo Joo Hyun (Seo Hyun) as Woo Hee, Kim Sung Kyun as Choi Ji Mong, Jo Min Ki as King Tae Jo, Yoon Sun Woo as Wang Won, Park Ji Young as Empress Yoo, Kang Han Na as Yeon Hwa, Park Si Eun as Wang Wook’s wife, Z.Hera as Park Soon Duk, Jin Ki Joo as Chae Ryung, and Sung Dong Il as Park Soo Kyung.